The Anacostia Story

Follow the history and development of Anacostia between 1608 and 1930 told through artifacts, photographs, early prints, documents and memorabilia.

Included are:

elaborate family Bibles

slave shackles and papers issued to freed slaves

a china pin box, a gift from Mrs. Woodrow Wilson to a Barry's Farm dressmaker

a list of members of Company A, 9th Regiment, U.S. Cavalry

Also included is information about well-known residents of the area, among them Frederick Douglass, musician Elzie Hoffman, Dr. Charles Nichols, the first superintendent of St. Elizabeth's Hospital, and Solomon G. Brown, who worked with Samuel F.B. Morse before coming to the Smithsonian.